take doing

take doing

To be particularly difficult or require a large amount of effort or planning. Well, it took doing, but I finally got the engine up and running again. I reckon we can get it finished by tomorrow, but it'll take doing.
See also: take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

take doing

Require considerable effort, as in It'll take doing to get the whole house painted in a week. This expression sometimes is put as take some doing, as in You want the President to come? That'll take some doing! [First half of 1900s]
See also: take
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • it will take some doing
  • antifreeze
  • under hatches
  • under the hatches
  • engine room
  • jump-start
  • jump-start someone
  • in the name of God
  • in business
  • be in business